User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Wow! What a thrilling, entertaining, mad, twisty, dazzling, awe-spring, gripping ride!
The story is told by two women: Joanne, poor mommy of the beautiful family, giving up on her own career to take care of the kids and helping her love of her life Leo during his darkest times, now sent away from the house to live with her needy, depressed mother, restrained to see the children because a younger, more attractive, blonder version of her will take her place: Let’s raise our voices for the other woman Piper a.k.a. Pamela.
Piper came from the West Coast to have a fresh start because his ex and his daughter were drowned at the boat accident and the ex-wife of her deceased husband did everything to banish her from the social circle, still thinking she killed them and got away with the murder.
And now Pamela turned herself into Piper, marries charming, ambitious lawyer Leo with two kids: Evie and Stelli. Evie is sweet pie but Stelli is so determined to turn her life into hell. So will history repeat herself? She wants to have a happy family before till her step daughter Mia did everything to ruin her life and now she is death. Could she do something to her and now could she aim Stelli who acts like pain in the ass?
Are those little kids in danger? Don’t worry: dear Joanne start digging Pam/Piper’s dark past and find out hidden skeletons in the closet. She will do anything to protect her children but Leo never listens to him and he just threw away like a garbage. Why is he so mean to her? Is he enchanted by the seducing power of Piper and blinded to see how dangerous she is? Or Joanne’s own past about daddy issues affect her judgment ? She wants to protect the kids but why the kids talk about her as if she’s already gone to heaven!
Two unreliable, twisted narrations, two extremely entertaining and terrifying protagonists and a dangerous cat-mouse game! Who will win at the end? Prepare to get shocked and sucker punches that you never see it coming. This book is so deliciously phenomenal and unputdownable! And the ending deserves your claps! IT was fascinating.
I was about to give four stars but for the ending creative ending and the last surprising revelation that I couldn’t guess made me give extra half stars. So 4.5 stars rounded up to :5! I wasn’t happy about the previous book of the author but this one literally captivated me and I mostly enjoy the vibes of Mediterranean traditions, Leo’s big Greek family scenes.
I’m thanking myself to buy this book because it is still at the pending purgatory of NetGalley and I cannot let it root there and sent to library cemetery without having a chance to read it. It was worth to every penny and I highly recommend this enjoyable, amusing, mind blowing novel to the fans of thriller genre.
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Rating: really liked it
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
4.5 Stars!!
An excellent summer read! Joanna has devoted her life to eight-year-old Evie, six-year-old Stelli, and their father, Leo. Joanna's been patiently waiting for Leo to come out of the depression that gripped him for months. Now it seems like her prayers have been answered. He's coming back to them. Leo is a successful lawyer and he's just about to start a new high profile case. Joanna suggests he attend a meditation workshop at the Phoenix Recovery Center to help him get prepared emotionally.
It won’t be long before she regrets that suggestion.
“I was relieved that he was finally going to take a step toward health. Little did I know that it would be his first step out of my life and right into hers”. Piper Reynard recently moved to Westport from San Diego. She wanted to start over without standing out. She found the perfect home and she loves running the Phoenix Recovery Center. She hopes things will be different in Westport.
“She couldn’t keep starting over and finding new places to hide“. Piper promised herself that she wasn't going to get involved with anyone for at least a year. Then she meets Leo Drakos. Piper is excited when he signs up for a meditation workshop at the center. Leo quickly realizes mediation isn't for him and instead of finishing the workshop, he takes Piper for lunch where the conversation flows easily. Piper is very attracted to Leo and she thinks the feeling might be mutual.
Leo seems pretty relaxed when he gets home that evening so Joanna is surprised when he says he didn't get anything out of the workshop.
When Joanna meets Piper at their annual Memorial Day Party, she's far from impressed. After the party, she searches social media to see what she can find out about Piper. Joanna can’t find anything about Piper online. What is she hiding?
When Joanna’s mother hurts herself, Leo encourages Joanna to go and stay with her. The weeks go by. The children visit but it’s not the same. Then an unexpected visitor one morning turns Joanna’s life upside down.
Joanna’s devastated. She’s losing everything that matters to her. But she's not going to go down without a fight. She's going to get her life back. Her loved ones are in danger and she's going to do what she has to do to prove it. Will she be able to do it in time?
Well done. You got me!
The story is told from both Joanna’s and Piper’s point of view. We learn a lot about their current lives as well as their childhood, and their complicated relationships with parents and previous partners.
This in-depth and well-developed story had me gripped. I definitely had to suspend my disbelief at times, but I was addicted to the story. And that ending? I NEVER saw it coming. At first, I was a bit confused. I was like…wait…what? Then I got it and my mouth dropped.
I thought this was an excellent domestic suspense novel with great characters that many will love to hate. I suggest you read this book in as few sittings as possible.
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
This book is out today!!! Happy Book Birthday 🎂🥂
Hang onto your husbands ladies! Piper is in town! Whew! This was once again another twisty thriller by this dynamic duo. Always on the must read list for me, they did not disappoint yet again. This book kept me up late into the night as I had to know what this sneaky Piper woman was up to next.
The Wife Stalker is just as it sounds...Piper is a woman that knows what she wants when she sees it....a yoga center, a membership to the yacht club, her Alfa Romeo Spider...oh yeah and your husband! When Piper moved into town she decided to start over- new name, new career, new man. All she needs is the new man...oh hey Leo you will do just fine.
Who is this mysterious newcomer? No trace of social media except for her current recent accounts...but what about her past? A glam girl like Piper and noooo trace of her? Hmm seems odd since Piper is all about social media now...what happened? Trust me Joanna has looked and there is.....nothing.
Oh my heart went out to poor Joanna. Just trying to keep the family together. Cooking, cleaning taking care of little Evie and Stelli. Yet Leo seems oblivious to it all, does he even appreciate her efforts?! She has been in Leo's life for years and yet here comes Piper to replace her. OMGGG I despised Piper!!! How dare her try so desperately to take Joanna's place! Is there no shame in her game? Nope! Piper is all out for herself and her sights are set on Leo and his family.
Well just when I thought I saw it all...Liv Constantine throws in that twisted end that left me speechless! I never in a million years saw that coming.
Huge shoutout to HarperCollins for this gorgeous finished copy of The Wife Stalker in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: really liked it
A mixed review from me....
I really liked the beginning of the book and found the characters interesting and would have enjoyed discussing their behavior. I was so looking forward to being surprised and trying to figure out just which way the author would weave it together...
BUT, somewhere in the middle I began to skim and was just wanting something to happen! Too much ordinary day to day narrative that was just not compelling or adding anything to the story. I was starting to get frustrated.
Also, I repeatedly said to myself, "this just wouldn't happen". I usually don't mind too much because many thrillers have elements that require some creativity and that is what makes them fun. I just wasn't buying the way the way it was presented.
In the end, there is a twist that some may find appealing. For me, I wasn't buying it (at all). It is still a quick, light read that worked as a bit of an escape.
Thanks EW for my review copy. This one is out May 2020
Rating: really liked it
I just finished this seconds ago....
on my 68th Birthday no less....
HOURS of AUDIOBOOK LISTENING OVER A FEW DAYS.....
....while hours of hiking, and soaking —- and other little piddling things around the house.
It may not be 5 stars for everyone .....
I mean it’s another one of those books that’s not great literature....
.... rather it has that lifetime movie feeling going on.....
But I was totally addicted to this psychological thriller.
The book succeeded in having a really great twist ending...
with ...... an edge-opening....to contemplate!
So.... our good friends are coming over to enjoy some social distant socializing. .... lunch in the yard - great company - a few gifts - and raspberry moose cake with candies to blow out and make a wish!
FUN BOOK!!!! For....those who like these types!!!
One of the GOOD ONES!!
Rating: really liked it
Leo Drakos has been in a funk for months but Joanna stays by his side faithfully. She keeps busy raising young Evie and Stelli while he works through his depression.
As time goes by it seems that Leo is beginning to feel better. His smile is back and the sparkle in his eyes reminds her of the man she fell in love with years ago. Maybe this is the fresh start they need.
All is not what it seems though. The smile, the sparkling eyes, the new found vigor in his step is because of Piper. A young earthy crunchy newbie to the neighborhood that has set her sights on Leo and Leo seems unable to resist her allure.
Joanna refuses to stand by while this woman steals Leo and the children from her and that's how we begin our spiral down the rabbit hole.
This is one of those books that as I read I kept thinking there is "NO WAY" that this would ever happen in real life and that thought kept returning throughout the story. Until the twist. Then it brought it all full circle and gave me that AHA moment. I have to admit that the twist was clever and one that I never saw coming. I think this book delivers the entertainment that any psych thriller junkie (me!) can ask for. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Publishes today May 19, 2020
The Wife Stalker may feature an unreliable narrator or two. There is Joanna, wife/ex wife of Leo, who handles the actions that Leo takes against her, very passively, although, behind the scenes, she is working to find out how to discredit her competition. Then there is Piper, who sets her sights on Leo, while Leo is still wearing his wedding ring. Piper, who has some dead people in her past, who has changed her name and run away from her past. Joanna is a bit overweight and frumpy but will do anything for Leo and their children Stelli and Evie. Piper is fit, beautiful, and a career woman, able to transform herself into whatever she thinks Leo would like her to be.
Caught between these two women are Leo and his wife's children, because both women know the way to Leo's heart is the children. There are some questionable moments that seem unlikely to happen in real life but I hung in there and for the most part, was highly entertained. This story is all about the ending, the twist that you can't see coming, a pretty convoluted twist but overall the story worked well for me. I actually stayed up too late to finish this book because I wanted to know what was going on and there were many things going on. It was more than worth the wild ride for me.
Thank you to Harper/Harper Collins and Edelweiss for this ARC.
Rating: really liked it
Oh my!!
I had such high hopes for this one. Even after reading such diverse reviews, I still expected a great read. But it just failed on all three fundamental requirements. To reach me - to hold me - to wow me.😩
Piper moved across country with the hopes of re-launching her life after the sudden death of her husband and stepdaughter. And things are starting to look up! For starters, the small business she just opened is a big success. Yup, all the pieces are falling in place for Piper. Just one little thing is missing...perhaps a man?🏻♀️
When Leo crosses paths with Piper, she is immediately swept away by his looks and charm. She wants him and nothing will stand in her way!
It seemed the author tried to make Piper out to be sociopathic, much like my favorite
“Jane” characters. And it just didn’t work. As much as I love my
Janes, I equally despised Piper. The only character that had any redeeming qualities was the young daughter Evie.
While there were some major twists in the end they didn’t work for me, leaving me in a constant state of frustration.
UGHH! Overall, not a good fit for me. But there are many favorable reviews so do take a look at those before making a decision on this book.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins Publishing
Rating: really liked it
My feelings about this book are two-fold.On one hand, the chapters are short and precise, hitting on the important points like a sledge hammer. The characters are well-developed, though not remotely likable. For 90% of the book, I was less than impressed by their life choices.
On the other hand, all I could think to myself through the bulk of the story was, "There is no freaking way that would happen," which I eventually realized was likely a clue unto itself (and essentially helped me figure out the main twist). The problem is, it was all just kind of "meh" for me. Nothing really new here, and when the ending was ultimately revealed, I realized there were also a couple plot holes that were never resolved. The middle of the book is a little dull and repetitive, and the prose is pretty weak.
I do, however, think many will love this story. I certainly didn't hate it. Obviously, as I stayed up until five this morning just to finish.
I'll end this review by saying this, The Wife Stalker is simply a watered down version of The Last Mrs. Parrish, but, in my opinion, it's still worth a read.
3.5 starsGet your copy of the latest Liv Constantine novel on May 19th! Only 3 more days!
Rating: really liked it
This was fine, there was a decent plot twist at the end of the book that I didn't see coming so that was cool, but the majority of this book was so repetitive and cliché and I couldn't stand any of the characters so it wasn't the most enjoyable reading experienced for me. This is my 2nd book from this author and I've felt underwhelmed both times so I don't think their books are for me. /:
Rating: really liked it
No. Just No.
What can I say: knowing what I do about Connecticut Law, the premise of this novel simply didn't ring true almost from the get go and I, therefore was rolling my eyes almost immediately. Then I got to the end and my frustration grew and I thought: "Oh No, You Didn't!" however, Liv Constantine did. All I can say is that I am not a fan of far-fetched plots. If you are, this book might be just what you're looking for.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey, which definitely gave us a lot to talk about.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Harper Collins and Liv Constantine for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 9.24.20.
Rating: really liked it
“Suffice it to say that things are not always what they look like on the outside.”
This story is told in dual perspectives: Joanna, the doting wife and Piper, the tease who wants to BE the wife...
...Or so we think.
Leo Drakos, the well-spoken, perfectly-dressed lawyer is the man in the middle. When Leo arrives at the “Phoenix Recovery Center” to check on one of his clients, Fred, he finds a flirty new friendship in the owner, Piper Reynard. Meanwhile, Joanna is at home taking care of his children Stella and Evie.
“Women have always been attracted to Leo, some even making it clear that they didn’t mind that he was married.”
Leo has been very depressed lately and in order to get him out of his funk before an upcoming trial, Joanna suggests that he take a meditation class in which Piper just so happens to decide to sit in on. They joke around, Leo ends up realizing that the class is not for him; they instead leave early and he treats her to lunch.
“I was relieved that he was finally going to take a step toward health. Little did I know that it would be his first step out of my life into hers.”
Piper, recently coming from The West Coast has moved around a lot , never really finding a true place to call home. She is hoping that Connecticut will be it, and Leo will be who with. But, she comes with a troublesome past, one that includes two marriages and not one but two dead husbands—Accidents, it seems.
When Leo confronts Joanna with the paperwork that’ll make her go away, she will stop at nothing to prove that he’s falling for the wrong woman. She won’t be left behind. She’s in total denial that what was is now over.
“She’s got Leo right where she wants him, and he’s blind to her game.”
Meanwhile, Piper continues to deal with Joanna’s obsessive ways as well as Leo’s son, Stelli’s refusal to respect her as an adult, let alone a new mother figure. His acting out has become intolerable. It’s one thing for him to miss his mother, but this is going way too far.
“She wondered if she would ever be a real part of this family.”
“Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a pillow from the bed, went into the bathroom, turned the water on, and screamed as loud as she could into its feathers.”
Imagine yourself as Joanna, she’s convinced that Piper is dangerous and only wants what’s best for her family.
Now, consider being Piper, how much can you take before you give up? She did afterall, steal this life from another woman, so she should have to pay some type of price, right?
Both women are in love with the same man and will stop at nothing to win the “perfect” life.
My initial reaction after finishing this book:
What the HE 🏒 🏒 just happened 😱😱! Page 283.... what did SHE just say 😱😱😱
1000% Delusional!
Could she really be THAT crazy? No way.
An ending that I DID NOT see coming and I’m left with so many questions!!
A fast- paced breakneck thriller that you can finish in one sitting!
I’m going to go take a cold shower now!
A SOLID 4.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads.
Why this book did not get 5 stars SPOILERS below—
The reader was left with too many questions, I wanted more explanation about what really happened to the two husbands in the past. Is our answer within the last line of the book? “Otherwise, she’d have to start all over again.” I must know more info!
Rating: really liked it
Giving this book another star because the ending still
haunts me.
_______________________
(This week I challenged myself to read three recent hyped thrillers. The other books I read were The Swap and The Last Flight)
tw: mental health; suicide
I think the biggest issue I have against
The Wife Stalker is that nothing much really happened for almost the entirety of the book. I almost casted this book down in the pits as a two-star read. The lightness of the whole story is both good and bad. Well at least for me. On one hand, it made reading this easy to the point I was flying through it. I loved those short chapters too. On the other hand, there were no punches. No thrill. No sense of danger or whatsoever until the ending. I agree that one of the reviewers here said that this book felt like a day to day narrative.
People appear to be conflicted with the ending. Personally, it was appealing to me. To each his own, I guess. It saved the book for me. It went a complete 180 and my mind just started clicking! Finally everything made sense. Earlier, I was confused for the characters certain choice of words and actions. I was like whats even happening? There were tiny hints all over the book that if I just paid any attention, I would know. Unfortunately, I didn't.
This book was more of a 'starter' thriller. If you're new to the genre or a bit curious and you want something less crazy than most thrillers, this is the book for you. Happy reading!
Rating: really liked it
Misled in the best way!
I don’t want to give anything beyond the official premise as I had more fun knowing as little as possible beforehand. It’s sufficient to say that I REALLY disliked Piper which is too bad because I love the name! But, she’s an insidious woman and now one of my favorite names is tarnished. Sigh...
This was an easy, flowing read for me. How a book is written can make or break my enjoyment and this was smooth and effortless allowing me to focus on the story - it was great one.
I went through many emotions: empathy, frustration, anger, and realization with several “gotcha” moments in the finale. I loved this!
I also have to compliment the beautiful cover. It has an iridescent quality and looks great in my book case. I know we’re not supposed to judge but I had to mention it.
Rating: really liked it
Oh, you sneaky sisters. Liv Constantine got me in the best possible way with The Wife Stalker, a wicked, whip-smart bag of tricks about a woman fighting to hold onto her family. Read this one in one long gulp, then read it again to see what you missed the first time through. I promise you won’t see it coming.
